Log aggregation basics

Topic: Monitoring basics

Summary

Collect logs from many hosts or containers into one system. Search and alert on patterns. Use when you need central search and retention for logs.

Intent: How-to

Quick answer

  • Ship logs with agent to central store. Use Elasticsearch, Loki, or cloud logging.
  • Search by time, host, level. Create alerts on patterns.
  • Set retention. Control cost. Secure access.

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. Ship logs

    Deploy agent. Configure destination. Verify logs arrive.

  2. Search and alert

    Search by time and fields. Alerts on error rate or pattern.

  3. Retention

    Set retention. Secure access.

Summary

Ship logs to central store. Search and alert. Set retention.

Prerequisites

Steps

Step 1: Ship logs

Deploy agent. Configure destination. Verify.

Step 2: Search and alert

Search and filter. Create alerts.

Step 3: Retention

Set retention. Secure access.

Verification

  • Logs in central store. Search and alerts work.

Troubleshooting

Logs missing — Check agent and network. Cost high — Reduce retention or sample.

Next steps

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